Knitting machine



sepf. 14, 1943.

w. A.- INGALLS KNITTING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1941 9 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 14, 1943. w. A lNGALLs 2,329,618

KNITTING MACHINE A Filed nay e, 1941 9 sheets-sheet 2 w. A lNGALLs KNITTING MACHINE Sept. 14, 1943. l

Filed May 8, 1941 9 Sheets-Sheelt f5 4 0f Wwf; I Q I Sept. 14, 1943. w. A. INGALLS KNITTING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1941 9 sheets-sheet 4 Sept14, 1943u w. A. lNGALLs 2,329,618

KNITTING MACHINE Filed May s, l1941 9 sheeis-sheet 5 Sept.'14, 1943. w.vA. lNGALLs 2,329,618

KNITTING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1941 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 W. A. INGALLS KNITTING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1941 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 W. A. lNGALLs 2,329,618

KNITT ING MACHINE sept. 14, 1943:.-

Filed may s, 1941 9 sheets-sheet 8 W. A. INGALLS KNITTING MACHINE QW 4 9 l 4, Y 1 m.. n

9 sheets-sheet 9 Filed May 8, 1941 l] wu www@ Wfl. J/zgals Patented Sept. 14, 1943 Willis A. Ingalls, Tompkins Bros.

tion of New York Syracuse, N. Y., assignorto Co., Syracuse,fN.Y., a. corpora- Application May 8, 1941, Serial No. 392,540

' 14 Claims.

This invention relates to knitting machines, and more especially to brake mechanisms and associated controls for circular spring needle knitting machines.

In conventional machines of this type, the

fabric is knitted on a rotary power driven'needle cylinder having a ring of spring needles mounted thereon, and as the fabric is knitted, it is taken up or wound up by a take-up mechanism usually mounted above the needle cylinder and arranged vfor rotation therewith. As conventionally practiced'in present day knitting machines of the circular spring needle type, to

including a manually operable control device, a thread operated control device, and a fabric operated control device, each of which control devices is operable independently of the others and serves to'interrupt the power drive and simultaneously'a'pply the brakes.

The selective electric control system above referred to insures the maximum protection 'of A the machine against damage, and materially contributes to the production of high quality and high grade fabrics free of imperfections. In ad- I dition, through the application of braking force stop the machine, the power is cut off and the y rotating parts coast to a stop. Due to the large mass of the rotating parts such as the needle cylinder and take-up mechanism, an appreciable time is required for these parts to come to a standstill by loss of momentum. Obviously, this delay is detrimental to the efdciency of operation of the machine, and it is especially dis` advantageous under some conditions such aswhen a thread or needle breaks or one of the thread supplies runs out. At these times and others of a more or less emergency nature, an immediate or abrupt stopping of the machine is very desirable.

I have found that the application of braking forces to the needle cylinder and to the take-up mechanism. may-be employed to considerable advantage in cylindrical spring needle machines of this type and one of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a novel and effective braking mechanism, and selective controls therefor, tovinsure quick stopping of the machine without-damage to either the machine or to the fabric knitted thereby.

A futher object of the invention is to provide a brake and selective control system of the aforementioned character, wherein the ,driving power is initially applied to the machine through the operation of a manual control which'simultaneously releases the brakes for the needle cylinder and take-up mechanism, and maintains these brakes in a released condition until such time as the machine is to be brought to a stop through the operation of certain other manual and/c1l automatic controls which serve to interrupt the power drive and quickly bring the machine to rest through the aid of the brakes aforesaid.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple and effective selective control system cf the electric type for interrupting the power drive and simultaneously applying "the brakes, said selective control system preferably to the take-up mechanism, back-lash of the takeup mechanism is avoided on applications of the braking force to the needle cylinder, thereby minimizing jamming of the needles and other parts of the machine as Would otherwise occur. A further important object of the invention is to provide a special and improved type of thread responsive circuit control device, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the thread stop motion, which is so constructed and arranged as to be actuated by inadvertent breaking of the thread at an unduly weak point, and also by undue tension on the thread or'other imperfections thereactuated, the power drive will interrupted and the brakes out at the end of the needles and the fabric becomesdisengaged from the needles.

lStill another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved type of fabric responsive circuit control device, hereinafter referred to as the fabric stop motion, which is so con- A further object of the invention is to provide thread furnishing instrumentalities arranged between the point of entry of the thread into the needlesv on the needle cylinder and the thread 1, and including stop motion in the thread feed, said furnishing instrumentalities serving to present the thread to the needles in uniform lengths at each needle, while relieving the needles of any drag, thereby eliminating tension on the thread between the furnishing instrumentalities and the needles and confining the tension on that portion of the thread between the furnishing instrumentalities andthe source of thread supply where it is most effective to act upon the thread stop motion.

Other and further objects of the invention will be hereinafter described, and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a view, partly partly in vertical section, of the upper portion of a knitting machine embodying the present invention, said upper portion including the main cloth spreader, the take-up mechanism and the brake therefor; l

Figure 2 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, of the lower portion of the knitting machine as a continuation of Figure the base structure. -needle cylinder and brake therefor, and associated stands and control devices;

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view of the main power control and cooperating brake actuating instrumentalities for the needle cylinder brake, certain of the latter parts being broken away and shown in section;

in side elevation and top plan viewv of the thread stop motion device .and an associated thread guide known in the trade as a slub-catcher, together with a portion of the circular support on which the stop motion device and slub-catchex` are mounted in operative relation to each other, certain Parts being broken away and shown in section;

Figuresl and 19 are fragmentary, tical sectional views taken 'respectively on the lines l8l8 and |9i9 of Figure 1'1;

Figure is a fragmentary view in side elevation showing the fabric stop motion device which forms-a part of the selective power and brake control system;

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the brake acy tuating instrumentalities shown in Figure 3 as viewed from the right hand end as shown in that figure, the main power control being shown in outline in broken lines;

Figure 5 is a view, partly in top plan and partly in horizontal section, of the take-up mechanism brake and associated brake actuating instrumentalities;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure l is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 1--1 of Figure 5;

Figures 8 and 9 are enlarged, detail vertical sectional views taken respectively on the lines 8--8 and 9-9 of Figure 3;

Figure 10 is an enlarged, detail top plan view of i and certain other parts omitted, portions of the the line II-ll of Figure 10, with the cover ap-- plied on the housing, but with other parts omitted;

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view takenon the line l2-i2 of Figure 10, with the cover also applied on the housing, and additionally showing certain magnetically4 operated trip instrumentalities omitted from Figures 10 and 11;

Figure 13 is a view in top plan of the magnetically controlled trip instrumentalities forming a part of the main power control as shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a detail viewpartly in vertical section and partly in side elevation, of one of the 'thread stop motion devices which forms a part of the selective power and brake control system,

' with one side of the casing of the stop motion device removed;

Figures 15 and i6 are vertical sectional views taken respectively on the lines lS--IS and |6|6 of Figure 14, with the side of the casing omitted in Figure 14 attached;

Figure l'l is an enlarged, detail fragmentary ings, and certain provided with a Figme2i is a vertical sectional view taken at one side of the fabric stop motion device of Figure 20 and showing the stop motion device in elevation as viewed substantially tangentially to the needle cylinder;

Figure 22 is a fragmentary vertical sectional I view taken on the line 22-22 of Figure 21;

Figure -23 is a fragmentary, grammatic top plan view of a typical setup of thread guides, burrs, sinkers, pressers, etapas may be used at one regular thread feed and an associated backing thread feed, and particularly showing the thread furnishing wheels and the manner of driving the same by the needles on the needle cylinder;

Figure 24 is a diagrammatic view of a main electric power circuit. and additional electric circuits embodying the selective stopy motion control devices;

Figure 25 is a detail view in side elevation of a thread tensioning device employed with each thread stop motion device, a portion of the casing and other parts being broken away and shown in section; andv v Figure 26 is a fragmentary detail view of the cooperating furnishing wheels, showing particularly the recessed radial blades between which the main thread passes as the furnishing wheels rotate to draw the thread from the bobbin and advance thesame to the regular stitch wheel or sinker which feeds the thread into the needles.

Like reference characters designate correspending parts in the several iigures of the drawparts will be recognized by those in the art as being conventional, for the same will not be described in skilled which reason detail.

Figures 1 and 2 together represent an assembly of a knitting machine having incorporated therein the novel features which constitute the present invention. As shown in these views, i generally designates a stationary bed plate which is supported at any desired elevation by legs 2 which normally rest upon the floor at the side of the machine. 'I'he bed -plate is lgenerally circular, and preferably extends radially outwardly beyond the legs 2 as indicated at 3, and adjacent to the outer margin thereof, the extension 3 is plurality of openings arranged in circumferentially spaced relation to each other. Each opening is preferably provided with a porcelain bushing mounted therein, forming a thread guide, as indicated at 4. The number of guides 4 provided in the extension 3 may be greater than the number actually receiving a thread at any one time, according to the particular setup for a given type of fabric to be knitted, and in arranging the guides l at intervals around the margin of the bed plate, 'those guides may be employed which are most conveniently located for the selected setup of thread detail versomewhat diafeeds which may be section being circular and forming a central hub about which a brake drum 6 extends for free rotation thereabout. The brake drum I is provided at its lower side near the outer margin thereof with gear teeth I adapted to mesh with the teeth of a drive gear 8 xed on a drive shaft 9 which is suitably journalled in bearings I0 and I I respectively attached to the lower side of the bed plate I and an extension plate I which is in turn attached to the upper side of the bed plate as by means of bolts I2 so as to extend towards one side of the machine. The drive shaft 9 may be drivenfrom any convenient source of power. By way of illustration herein, the power source is shown as an electric motor I3 connected by V belts intermediary of a free wheeling clutch generally designated I5, mounted on the outer end of the.

drive shaft 9 in alignment with the drive pulley I5 on the motor shaft I1. It is to be understood that my invention is not intended to be limited to the drive just described, since this is optional and may be varied as desired. Fixed to the upper side of the central hub 5 which forms a part of the bed plate I, is a hollow sleeve I8, saidsleeve being` held stationary on the bed plate and serving as a vertical guide or axle on which an elongated hub I9 of the needle cylinder is mounted for rotation thereabout. The lower'extremity of the needle cylinder hub I9 is keyed to a collar 2| having a radial flange 22 provided with a notch 23 which in turn receives an upstanding lug or boss 24 on ime upper side of the brake drum 6. Thus, rotation imparted to the brake drum E -is transmitted through engagement of the lug 24 in the notch 23 to the collar 2|, and the rotation is in turn imparted by the collar 2| to the needle cylinder hub I9 and consequently to the needle cylinder 2D. 25 designates a key and 26 a set screw for .restraining the key against accidental displacement, thereby insuring a positive driving relation between the collar 2| and the hub I9.

Mounted around the needle cylinder 20 is a ring of spring needles 21. The needles are preferably removably attached to the needle cylinf der by conventional caps and leathers 28 and associated cap bolts 29. As the fabric is knitted on the needles 21, it is taken direction by suitable take-up mechanism generally designated 3l). and the take-up mechanism 30, the fabric, designated F, is preferably passed through a cloth ring 3| which aids in equally distributing the tension about the fabric in a manner more particularly disclosed in my prior Patent No, 2,081,- 816 granted May '25, 1937. This cloth ring may be supported in any suitable manner, but preferably by means of a stand 3| connected at its lower end to a slotted arm 3|" attached to the bed plate I. Positioned above the cloth ring 3| and fixed to a vertical shaft 32 is a main spreader 33 and an cloth F passes before it reaches the friction rolls 35, 36 and the cloth roll 31. which form parts of thetake-up mechanism 30. The main spreader 33 extends upwardly between a pair of horizontally spaced bars 38, 38 arranged below the friction rolls 35, 33, and as the knitted fabric F is drawn upwardly from the main spreader 33 to the friction rolls 35, 36, the fabric passes be- I4.to the drive shaft 9 through the Between the .needles 21 f' auxiliary spreader 34 about which the up in an upward tween the bars 38, 38 in the conventional manner.' Leathers 3'9 attached to brackets 40 adjust-ably mounted on the bars 38, 38 protect the fabric from undue rubbing against the bars as the fabric passes therebetween.

The Vertical shaft 32 is ,journalled in the sleeve I8 and extends throughan opening in the center of the bed plate aligned with the central opening in the sleeve. lF'ixed to the lower end of the shaft 32 is a gear 4I, the teeth of which mesh with a second drive gear 42 fixed on the inner end of the drive shaft 9. Accordingly, a drive is established from the motor I3, through the drive shaft 9 and gears 4I, 42 to the vertical shaft 32, causing the shaft 3,2 to be rotated in the samedirection and at the same speed as the needle cylinder 20, 'I'he rotary movement of the vertical shaft 32 is transmitted to thetake-up l mechanism 30 by means of the main spreader 33, as will be obvious from the illustration in Figure l. A gear housing or casing 4|' is preferably attached to the lower side-of 'the bed pla-te vI to enclose the various drive gears. l

The take-up mechanism 30 is attached at 4its upper end to a short vertical shaft 4 3 mounted for rotation in a vbearing platev 4'4, the bearing plate in turn being fixed to an overhanging arm 45 as by means of bolts 46. The overhangingI arm45' is extended from a Vertical post or column l 41 which is fixed by bolts 48 at its lower end to the extension plate I which extends to one side of the bed plate I. Hangers 49, 49 engaging eyes 50, 5I respectively provided at the upper side of the'overhanging arm 45 and bearing plate 44, may be utilized to support a substantial part of the weight of the take-up mechanism from the ceiling at the site of the machine.

Disposed on a reduced portion 44 of the hub 44" on the lower side of the bearing-plate 44, and keyed thereto by a key 52, is a bevel gear 53 which is adapted to engage corresponding bevel gears 54, 54 which form a part of ratchet instrumentalities generally designated 55, 55 which actuate the rolls of the take-up mechanism responsive to rotary movement of. the take-up mechanism respecting the vertical axis of the knitting` machine. A nut 56v threaded on the lowerl end of the shaft 43 serves to hold the bevel gear 53 in its xed position above referred to, and also serves to restrain the key 52 against accidental displacement.

In suspending the take-up mechanism 30 on the lower end of the shaft 43, the attachment is so made that the shaft 43 will rotate about its Vertical axis corresponding to the rotation of the take-up mechanism about the axis of the vertical shaft 32. -Attached to the upper end of the shaft 43 so as to be rotatable therewith, is a brake drum 51. Extending about the brake drum 51 is a pair of brake bands 58, 59. One end of each of the bands 58, 59 is anchored by a'bolt 90 to the bearing plate 44, and the free ends of the respective bands 58, 59 carry a pair of pins or studs 6I, 62 engaged by the respective links 63, 54. The end s of the links 63, 64 opposite to the re'- spective pins 6I, 62 are pivotally connected at diametrically opposite points to a brake actuator plate 65 fixed to the end of a rock shaft terminating near the free ends of the brake bands g site to the brake :actuator 'plate 65 is a crank arm 99,-the attachment .being made inwany suitable manner such-as by-meansof theclamp bolt 10. yPivotally connected tothe free end of the crank arm 69 .is-a brake rod 1 I which extends downwardly therefroml in the vicinity of the column 'or post 41. The lower end'ot the brake drive is interrupted the brakes are applied. To

rod 1| is preferably slotted as at 12 to receive a bolt 13 carried by a brake lever 14. 'Due to the slot 12, a limited lost motion is provided between the brake rod 1| and the brake lever 14 as will hereinafter be more fully apparent. An adjustable stop screw 15 extending through the crank A arm 69 serves to limit rocking movement of the rock shaft se in one direction, .as win be obvlextension plate to which the motor is attached by hangers 'I1 threaded into the extension plate I at their upper ends and passing through the base of the motor at their lower ends. The opposite end of the brake lever 14 is suitably tlxed to the outer end of a second rock shaft 18, the attachment being made in any suitable manner, as by means of the clamp bolt 19. The rock shaft 18 is mounted in spaced bearing brackets 80, 8| disposed at the upper side of the bed plate and extension plate I", so as to be free to rock in opposite` directions. 'I'he end of the rock shaft opposite to the brake lever 14 has xed thereto a crank arm 82, the attachment of which may be made in a manner similar to that of the brake lever through means of a clamp bolt 83. The free end of the crank arm 82 is pivotally connected to one end -of a short link 847 and the opposite end of the link 84 is pivotally connected to the free end of another crank arm 85 ,fixed to the end of a short rock shaft 88 as by means of the clamp bolt 81. The short rock shaft 8B is journalled in a bearing block 88 mounted on the bed plate and the end of the shaft 80 carries an actuator plate 89 sims ilar to actuator plate 65. The actuator plate 89 is xed on the shaft 86 to rotate therewith, and has pivotally connected thereto at diametrically opposite points brake links 90, 9|. The opposite ends of the links 90, 9| are respectively pivotally connected to the free ends of a pair of brake bands 92, 93 disposed about the brake drum 8, the connection between the links and the brake bands being preferably made by screws 94, 95 as best shown in Figures 3 and 4. The brake bands 92, 93 are anchored at their ends opposite to the ends connected to the links 90, 9|, the anchorage being made by a bolt 98 extending through the bed plate I as shown in Figure 2. A coil spring 91 is connected at one end to the brake lever 14, as shown at 98 in Figures 3 and 4, and the other end of the coil spring is attached to a bracket 99 clamped to one of the hangers'11 as best seen in Figure 2. 'Ihe tension of the coil spring 91 normally serves to urge the brake lever 14 in a downward direction at the end adapted to be actuated by the operator, and when it assumes this downward position, both sets of brakes hereinbefore described are normally applied, the upper brake being the take-up mechanism brake, and the lower brake being the needle cylinder brake. y

When the knitting machine is in operation the n brakes are normally released and when the power chine where the drive motor is located below the start the operation of the machine, the brakes .are first released by lifting the brake lever 14 in an upward direction through the aid of the operating handle 19, this lifting operation causing the lower rock shaft 18 and the various levers and links associated therewith to be actuated to 4release the brake bands 92, 93 from braking en' gagement respecting the needle cylinder brake drum 8. -In lifting the brake lever 14 in an upward direction, upward movement is imparted to the brake rod 1|, which -in turn causes the upper rock shaft 88 to be rocked in one direction to release the brake bands 58, 59 from braking engagement respecting the take-up mechanism brake drum 51. A limited lost motion is provided at the connection between the brake rod 1I and the brake lever 14 .so as to compensate for unequal adjustment or wear of the brake bands associated with the respective brake drums and the brake band actuating instrumentalities, this lost motion being afforded by the slot 12 through which the connectingvbolt 13 extends at the lower end of the brake rod 1 I.

In order to hold the brakes in a released con--v dition against the yieldable action of the coil l spring 91 which normally tends to urge the brake lever 14 downwardly and thereby apply the brakes, a trip or trigger device is provided as best shown in Figures 3, 8 and 9. The trip device includes a short rock shaft |00 rotatably mounted in a block I0| which is attached to the extension plate as by means of screws |02 adjacent to the brake lever l14. Fixed to one end of the rockshaft |00 is an arm |03 which extends generally upwardly therefrom to present an abutment surface |03' at its upper extremity. adapted to engage beneath an abutment pin |04 ixed to the brake lever 14 and projecting from one side of the latter as shown in Figure 3. At an intermediate point in the length of the rock shaft |00, a pin |05 is fixed thereto and extends in an upward direction therefrom, generally` parallel to the arm |03. The block |0| is suitably recessed at |08 to receive a coil spring |01 having one end seated in the base of the recess |06, and its other end disposed in abutting relation to the pin 'I 05, as shown in Figure 8. The spring |01 is normally under sufilcient compression to exert pressure upon the pin |05 to rock the shaft |00 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 8, thereby normally disposing the upper end of the arm |03 in the positionshown in Figure 4, with the abutting surface |03 of the arm |03 disposed below the pin |04 on the brake lever 14. When so positioned the arm |03 will positively maintain the brake lever 14 in an elevated position, holding 'the brakes released. Lifting of the brake lever 14 in an upward direction to a position in which the pin |04 is elevated above the upper end of the arm |03, automatically allows the arm 03 to move beneath the pin |04 under the influence of the spring |01 acting upon the pin |05 iixed to the rock shaft |00. To displace the arm |03 from beneath the abutment pin |04, an automatic trip is provided on the rock shaft |00 to be actuated by the main power control |08, shown generally yin Figures 3 and 4 and in detail in Figures l0 to 13. The main power` control includes a pull rod |09 which extends through and is slidably mounted in the housing I0 of the main power control unit |08, said housing being provided with a removable cover |II. The pull rod |09 is provided with an' operating handle I|2 which is positioned adjacent to the brake Athe pin |05.

lever 14 to enable the operator of the machine to conveniently operate the brake lever 14 with one hand and the main power control with the other hand. The main power control is connected to suitable electric circuits which in turn control operation of the motor I3 in a manner hereinafter more specifically described. To close the power circuitl to start the motor 3, the pull rod |09 is pulled towards the operator when standing in front of the handle ||2, and in interrupting the power circuit to stop the machine, the pull rod |09 moves in the opposite direction under the influence of a coilspring ||3 disposed within the control unit housing' I|0 and encircling the pull rod |09 as later described.

Adjustably fixed on the pull rod |09 by means of a set screw I4 is a collar |I5 carrying a pin ||6 which is disposed somewhat above the rock shaft in the block 0| and at the side of the latter opposite to the arm |03. Fixed to the end of the rock shaft |00 opposite to the arm |03, and rockable with the shaft |00 is a generally upright arm |I1. The upper end of this arm I|1 is slotted or milled out to a substantial depth as at I I 8, and pivotally mountedin the slot is a trigger I9 having an inclined upper edge asl at |20. The trigger II9 is pivotally connected to the arm ||1 by means of a pin |2| extending across the slot II8. Seated in a recess |22 in the arm ||1 at one side of the pivot pin I2I is a coil spring |23 having its upper end engaged beneath theforward end of the trigger I9 as best shown in Figure 9. In the normally expanded condition of the coil spring |23; the trigger I|9 assumes a somewhat elevated position at its forward end,

disposing the trigger in' the path of the pin |I6l carried by the pull rod |09. During forward movement of the pull rod |09 in the operation of the main power control |08 to close the power circuit to the motor I3, the pin I I6, engages the inclined upper edge |20 of the trigger member I|9 as the pull rod approaches the limit of its out# ward movement, and as the pull rod continues to move forwardly, the pin I|6 rides across' the inclined edge |20, and progressively depresses the trigger ||9 while the arm I|1 is held in its upright position by the action of the spring |01 on Movement of the arm II1 -beyond this 'upright position is prevented by a stop pin |24 carried by the block I 0| and projecting to one side thereof. When the arm ||1 comes into engagement with the abutment pin |24, and further movement of the arm is arrested, the arm |03 on the opposite end of the rock shaft |00 will be disposed beneath the pin |04 on the lbrake lever 14 which has beeninitiallyraised before the pull rod |09 is pulled outwardly. `As the pull rod continues to approach its limit of outward movement, the pin IIG carried thereby passes off of the trigger I I 9, and the trigger rocks upwardly to its normal position shown in full lines in Figures 8 and 9 with its forward edge disposed behind the pin IIS. Suitable trip means are provided to hold the pull rod |09 in its outward position just described until such timeas the trip means are-actuated to release the pull rod and cause the power circuit to be broken through action of the coil spring ||3 which normally tends to urge the pull rod |09 in a rearward direction as viewed from the operating handleend of the pull rod represented at ||2. The details of the drive.

, lever 14 by the pressure of the spring 3 on the `pull rod |09. As the upper end of the arm |03 this point ofthe explanation that the trip means have been suitably actuated to release the main power control to cause interruption of the motor When the main power control is released the pull rod |09 moves rearwardly under the influence of the spring II3, carrying with it the pin |I6. Rearward movement of the pin ||6 thereupon imparts rearward rocking movement lto the arm |I1 through engagement with the trigger I9, as viewed in Figures 8 and 9, until the pin ||6 passes by the trigger I9 as the pull rod |09 continues to move rearwardly to the position shown in Figures 10 and 11. I|1 in a rearward direction, corresponding rocking movementis imparted to the shaft |00, and consequently to the arm |03 which is forcibly displaced from beneath the -pin |04 on the brake becomes disengaged from the pin |04, the brake lever 14 automatically moves downwardly under the inuence of the spring 91 which causes the brakes to be applied substantially instantaneously with the interruption of the power drive, as hereinbefore described. 'I'he brakes remain applied until such time as operation of the knitting machine is resumed, whereupon the brakes are rst released by operation of the brake lever 14, and the pull rod |09 is then pulled forwardly to close the power circuit which simultaneously resets the brake trip device or holding means to hold the brakes released as already described in the explanation of the parts |00 to |04 etc., and ||4to|23.^

More particularly describing the main power control |08, and referring particularly to Figures 10 to 13 inclusive, |25 designates a crosshead which is xed to the pull rod I 09 within the housing IIO, a's by means of a pin |26, the crossof the housing ||0 and slidably engages a guide main power control |08 and the trip means above referred to will be later described, and for the purpose of continuing the explanation of Athe operation of the trigger I 9, it will be assumed at bar |21 xed in the housing and arranged generally parallel to the pull rod |09. .Attached to the upper side of the crosshead, as by means of screws |28 is a plate |29 which is 'extended forwardly above the pull rod I 09, with su'icient clearance therebetween as not to interfere with the spring |3. 'I'he plate |29 serves as a support for a knife switch blade |30 which isattached to the forward end of the plate |29 as by means of a laterally oiiset arm |3I provided at the upper end of the switch blade |30.k The arm |3|, and consequently the switch blade |30, are preferably insulated from the support |29 through provision of an insulating strip I32-interposed between the-arm |3I and the support |29, and suitable insulating bushings surrounding fasteners |33.

Mounted on the forward wall of the housing ||0 near one lower corner thereof is an insulating block |34 which is preferably attached to the wall by screws |35. Attached to the insulating block |34 as by means of screws |36 is a pair In rocking the arm tache |31, the pcwer circuit warte broken and operation of the driving motor i3 will be-discontinued through the interruption of the power supplied thereto under the control of themain control unit |06.

Extending forwardly fromthe crosshead |25 is a pair of\ laterally spaced ears or bosses |46 between which ismounted a dog |4| yvrhiehis pivotally c l ected to the spaced' ears |45 by 'a pin |41. A l -shaped spring memberifextending about the pin |42 and having one arm extended into a recess |44 in the lower side of the crosshead |25, and its other arm arranged in abutting relation to the upper side of the dog |4|, normally serves to urge the dog in a downward direction, that is in a clockwise direction about the axis of the pivot pin |42, as viewed in Figure 12. 'I'he dog is provided with an abrupt shoulder |45 which is adapted to coact with a trip latch |45 forming a part of a. magnetically controlled latch unit generally designated |41. 'Ihe magnetic latch unit is mounted in the lower part of the housing H6, and includes a base plate |48 supported on posts |49 extending upwardly from the bottom of the housing I0, and to which the base plate |45 is attached as by screws |50. At one side of the 'base plate |46 an elongated side frame |5| is provided, and a shorter side frame |52 extends upwardly from the opposite side of the base plate. Between the side frames |5| and |52 is rockably mounted a member |59 having a radially extended arm |54l arranged above and towards one side of the base plate |45.

.Coactlng with the free end of the arm |54 is an armature |55 which is mounted 4to rockin a. vertical plane about a horizontal axis, the armature being pivotally attached at its lower edge by a pintle |55 extending through the side frame |5| at one end, and through a supplemental support |51 at the other end. A magnet |58 is arranged in cooperative relation to the armature |55, the same being preferably xed to an uprightl support |59 at one end of the base plate as shown in Figures 12 and 13. A iight leaf spring |50 attached to the armature |55 and having abutting engagement with the magnet |58, normally tends,

to rock the armature |55 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 12, when the magnet |58 is not energized. The armature |5515 provided with an extension |55 at one end which is normally adapted to move beneath the free end of thev arm A |54 to hold the latter arm in an elevated positionas shown inFlgures 12 and 13. Below the arm |54 and extending from the body of the part |53 as a part thereof is an abutment tail |6| adapted to cooperate with an adjustable stop screw |52 mounted on the base plate |48, and serving to limit the pivotal movement of the arm |54 in a clockwise-direction as viewed in Figure 12. 'Ihe adjustment of the stop vscrew |62 should be such that the free end of the arm |54 may be rocked upwardly sufilciently far to allow the extension |55' of the armature |55 to move beneath the arm, but not substantially farther.

'I'he body of the part |53 intermediate itsopposite ends is provided with a curved face |53 which is adapted to cooperate with the tail |54 on the pivotal trip latch |45 which is mounted between spaced supports |55, |65. llrepresents a pin which serves to pivotally connect the trip latch |46 to the supports' |55, |6515. A coil spring |61 having one end extended at |68 for engage-l ment with an abutment |45 on the base plate |46,

5 and its other end extended at I" for abutting engagement with'the lower side of the tail |64 of the trip latch |45, normally serves to urge the trip' latch |45 in a counter-clockwise direction,

as viewed in Figure 12. The same spring pressure acting upon the trip latch |45 is transmitted through the tail |64 of the trip latch to a shoulder |1| provided at the upper end of the curved face |53 on the part |53, thereby tending to normally rock the part |53 andV its extended arm 15 |54 in a clockwise direction. The radius of the curved face |63 is so selected that' when the free end cf the arm m cverucs the extension |55'- on the armature |55, the tail |64 of the trip latch |46 is positively restrained against-movement in a clockwise direction as viewed in-Figure `12. In other words, under these conditions, the centeno! curvature-"cf the face |63 isA at this time eccentric to the pivotal axis oi the trip latch |46, and the distance between the pivotal axis of the triplatch and every point of the curved face |53 below the position of' the'tai of the latch |45 in Figure 12;, is too small to allow the tail of the trip latch to move downwardly. Consequently, so long as the arm |54 is restrained against downward movement by the armature extension |55'. the trip latch iwlli be positively held' in the position shown in i'uII lines in Figure 12. Thus with the dog |4| movedto its dotted line position shown in Figure 12v, with the shoulder |45 engaged with the trip latch |45,

which occurs when the pull rod |09' of the main control unit is pulled out to close the power circuit, the pull' rod will be held out in its operative position, compressing the spring H3 between .1o-the forward side of the'crosshead .|25 and the forward wall of the casing H0. It wl-li be understood that as the pull rod |55 is pulled forwardly, the dog |4|w1ll rock slightly in a counteiocloelrwise direction aspermitted by theyiei'dable action of the spring |43, while theedog passes the trip latch |45, until the shoulder |45 ofl the dog reaches the position in advance of the trip latch as shown in dotted lines in Figure 12.

In order to trip the main power control to allow the same to be restored to its rearward, inoperative position constituting the power interrupted position, the magnet must be energized. This may be accomplished by various selective auxiliary controls and auxiliary control 55 circuits shown in the circuit diagram. of Figure 24, said auxiliary controls preferably including a, manually operable stop button or switch generally designated |12, a thread responsive stop motion device generally designated |133, and a 6o fabric stop motion device generally designated |14. Before discussing the detaiis of these auxiliary control devices and. circuits which will hereinafter be more specifically described, it may be assumed that the circuit in which the magnet |58 is connected maybe selectively energized by ing the armature |5lto be. rocked about its pivotal axis|5 in a, counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 12, thereby withdrawing: the amature extension |55 from. beneath the free end of the arm |54. Thereupllfthc force stored in the spring H3 which was the viewed in Figure l2.

' andere outward pull of the pull rod |09 to close the power circuit, will be exerted against' the. crosshead |25 fixed to the pull rod |09 to urge the pull rod |09 in a rearward direction. This causes the dog |4| to be carried rearwardly with the pull rod |09 from its dotted line position shown in vFigure 12 to the full line position shown in that gure, and the force of the spring ||3 is exerted through the dog |4| against the trip latch |46 to cause the trip-latch |46 and the tail |64 thereof to move in a clockwise direction as As the tail |64 of the trip latch |46 moves downwardly, the member |53 having the curved faceA |63 will be causedto rock in a. counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 12, during which movement the curved face |63 will occupy such positions as to afford free downward movement of the tail |64. It will be obvious that the force of the spring ||3 is considerably greater than that oiered by the spring |61 which latter spring normally tends to resist clockwise movement of the trip latch l pcwheel |88 by any suitable means generally desend of the arm |54 Iand again lock the trip latch |48 in an operative position ready to reengage the v dog |4| upon further actuation of the 4pull rod |09 to its operative position previously described.

Before describing the selective auxiliary control circuits and stop motions |12, |13 and |14, reference will be now made to la typical setup of thread feeds which may be employed with a machine of this'character, and having particular regard for Figures 1, 2 and 23. Extending in concentric circles about the legs 2 of the machine near the lower ends thereof is a pair of radially spaced bars |15 which are arranged in a common plane and supported by brackets |16 suitably attached to the legs 2. These bars serve to support bobbins |11 from which the threads are Vdirected to the needles 21 on the needle cylinder 20. The bobbin may be adjusted to any desired point on the supporting bars |15, and there maybe employed as many bobbins as necessary to incorporate the desired number of threads in the knitted fabric at one or more feed stations, only one of which is illustrated in the drawings.l For example, from bobbin |11 shown in Figure 2, the main thread T is directed upwardly to the thread stop motion |13 and then to an intermediate tensioning device |18, both later described, the tensioning device |18 being attached to a supporting plate |19 fixed by a set screw |80 to the upper end of a central standard |8| lying on the' central axis of the machine below the bed plate The lower end of the standard |8| is attached by clamping nuts |82, |82 to the intersection of the cross bars |83, |83 attached at their outer ends to the legs 2 of the machine and with each -cross bar extending between diagonally opposed legs where four legs are provided. From the tensioning device |18, the thread T extends upwardly through the guide 4 in the outer edge of the bed plate extension 3, and thence upwardly to a guide arm |84 suitably attached to a convenient iixed point outside of and relatively near the needle circle. The thread then passes through a porcelain guide |85 carried by the |89jyare rotated by the drive established with free end of the guide arm |84, and then through a. pointed metal guide |86 disposed at one side of the guide |85 and carried by anauxiliary arm |84 which is attached to the arm |84 by rivets |81. From the pointed guide |86, the thread extends between a pair of wheels |88, |89 arranged for rotation about vertical axes outside'oi` the needle circle. Each of these wheels |88, |89 is provided with circumferentially spaced radial blades, with the blades of one wheel overlapping between adjacent blades of the other wheel. The extreme outer edges of the blades are-pref .erably provided with shallow recesses through which the thread T runs in passing between the Wheels as shown in Figures 23 and 26, the recesses serving to keep the thread between the wheels and preventing the thread from becoming A displaced in an upward or downward direction.

One of the wheels, for example |88, is positively rotated` through provision of a gear |90 operatively connected thereto and meshing with the Shanks of the needles 21 at a point below the spring beards of the needles, that is, just above the needle caps 28. l The other wheel |89 is carried by a supporting arm |9| which is preferably yieldably urged towards the cooperating ignated |92, the details ol which are immayY/teri'al herein and are well known to those skilled i111', 'the art,

v The arm' |9| is adjustably mounted onza vertical stand |93 attached at its lower "e to a. slotted link |04, which in turn is adably connected to a slotted stand supporting ring|85 mounted on the upper side of the bed plate' l.

t'will be understood that as the wheels |88,

` the needles 21'by the gear |90, the wheels will draw the thread T uniformly from the bobbin |11, keeping the thread taut between the wheels be hereinafter termed furnishing wheels.

From the furnishing wheels, the thread T passes through a guide |96 in another guide arm |91 suitably positioned outside of the needle circle, and then through another guide |98 in the free end of the guide arm |9,1,-from which the thread is directed to a stitch Wheel or sinker |99, likewise mounted in any convenient manner at the outside of the needle circle, as by means of a suitable stand. The stitch wheel or sinker |919 feeds the thread T under the beards of the needles 2 as the needles progressively move past the stitch wheel during rotation of the needle cylinder 20, in a well known manner. At the time the thread is fed under the needle beards, the fabric'is pushed down by a shoe or equivalent cloth push down means generally designated 200 which may be adjustably supported by the cloth ring 3| located above the needle cylinder and carried by arms 20| and 202 which '.are in turn connected to stands 3|' and the burr or wheel 2||l casts off the oid stitches, thereby forming new stitches or thread loops constituted by the feeding of the main thread T under the needle beards. -The lander wheel 239 and cast oi wheel 2|3may be conveniently supported by arms'2ll carried by an inside supporting ring 2|2 having a hub collar. 2|'3 engaging over the upper end of the central sleeve N and secured thereto by a set screw 2H.

It will be understood that the backing thread B would normally be supplied from another bobbin corresponding to bobbin |11 in Figure 2, and additional thread feeds may be duplicated at other stations about the machine, as desired, in the well known manner.

With the foregoing general description ci the knitting operation in mind, reference will now be made tothe auxiliary control circuits and stop motions hereinbefore referred to.

Consideringr ilrst the thread stop motion shown in detail in Figures 14 to 16 inclusive, 215 designates a casing which is preferably provided with a removable side Wall 2|B. Extending through the opposite side walls of the casing and journalled therein is a pin 2|'l having at one end thereof a radially upwardly offset arm 2|8 which carries at its upper end a cross bar 2l9. Mounted on the respective opposite ends of the cross bar 2|9 and extending upwardly therefrom is a pair of porcelain members 220, each being provided with a U-shaped recess 22| in which the thread T is adapted to be disposed as it comes from the bobbin |11 as clearly blade 225 disposed for engagement with the f movable contact 223 when lthe latter is rocked to its dotted line position shown in Figure 14. A light coilA spring 226 having one end engaged with the movable Contact 223 and its other end ilxed to an adjustable square nut 221 mounted on an adjusting screw 228 normally urges the movable contact 23v and the porcelain arms 220 to their full line positions shown in Figure 14, while allowing the arms and the contact 223 to be rocked to their dotted line positions shown in Figure 14 when tension on the thread 'I' ex-.

ceeds a predetermined amount as determined by the setting of the adjusting screw 228; .f1 iixed abutment 223 extending upwardly from y, the upper side of the casing 2|5 at one edge thereof serves to engage the cross bar 2f! to limit movement or the porcelain arms 20` in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 14, beyond the position illustrated in full lines lnthat fleure.

Also Journalled in the' opposite side wal-ls of pin 230 is downwardly offset at one side as at 23| and carries an adjustable counterweight 232' which isv threadedly received thereon. Fixed to the pin 2'30 near the upper end of the offset arm- 23I, and extending upwardly' therefrom is a wire arm 233 which is reversely bent at-its upper end as at 234 to form a second arm laterally spaced from the arm 233. The lower end of the arm 234 is offset at 235 at a point slightlyabove the base of the recesses 22| in the porcelain arms 223; Fixed to thecpin 233 and disposed within the casing 2liv is a block 236 constituting a second movable electrical contact which is' adapted tocooperate with a second spring blade 231 forming a part of the xed contact member 224. When the thread T is disposed in the porcelains 220, the wire arms 233, 234 normally lie tothe right of the thread as shown in Figure 14, with the thread-extending between the spaced porcelain arms 220 and above the onset 235 as shown in Figure 15. In such position oi'v the Wire arms 233, 234, vas represented in full lines stances, the wire arms 233, 233 will be released llt" and the pull of the counterweiglit 232 will cause the arms to rock in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 14, causing the movable -contactblock 236 to engage the xed contact blade 231. It will be accordingly seen that both the porcelain arms 220, 220 and the wire arms 233', 234` are controlled by the thread T, the former being responsive to tension on the thread,

and' the latter being responsive to the breaking of the thread.

Mounted at one end of the casing 2|'5 and guard plate 23B, the latter lying about on a verticalcenter of the stop motion device |13, and the arms 238, 238 being sufficiently spaced. therefrom as to aiord clearance that the same will not interfere with-either the porcelain arms 220, 220 or the wire arms 233, 234, as will be seen from Figures 15 and 16. The purpose of the guard arms 238, 238 and plate 239 is to prevent -the thread T from becoming inadvertently displaced from the recesses 22| in the porcelain arms 220 when the porcelain arms have been rocked to the limit of their movement produced by the spring 226 in case of a break in the thread Tor displacement of the thread from its normal engaged position with respect to the tensioning device |18 whch produces a substantial slack in the thread on displacement from the latter device.

An insulated electrical terminal 240 opera.- tively connected with the xed contact member 22'4 within the casing |25 is disposed on the outside of the casing at one side for connection of the stop motion device |13 to the electrical control circuit shown--in Figure 24. As many of these stop motion devices are provided as there are thread feeds, and the devices are preferably mounted on a support 24| extending about the legs 2 of the machine at a position just above the bobbins I 11. As shown in Figure 2', this support 28| has the form of a. circular metal band attached to the legs 2 by hangers 242. Ad.

sioning device |18 Vis so adjusted as to Aimpose only a very light tension upon the thread1 or,

iustment of the elevation of the support 24| may be accomplished by means of `the U bolts 243. The lower edge of the support 24| is preferably .flanged as at 244 to provide a short; horizontal ledge extending radially inwardly therefrom, and i attached above this ledge by means of screws 246 is a block 246 to which an extension 241 on the base of the stop motion device |13 isattached by means of a screw 248. When so mounted as'just described, the stop motion de vice |13 extends generally radially inwardly from the support 24|, as clearly shown in Figure 17. Associated with leach of the stop ino-v` tion devices |13, and positioned in proximity thereto is a slub catcher generally designated 249, shown best in Figures 17 to 19 inclusive. The slub catcher includes an inclined bracket 255 having an oiset at one end for attachment to the block 246 by means of a screw 252. At the other end of the bracket 258 is an oppositely disposed oiset 253 to which s attached a U-shaped frame 254. The lower arm 255 of the frame is xed to the offset 252 by a bolt 256 and clamping nut 251. The head of the bolt is disposed between the arms of the frame 25.5 and includes a circular body 258 on which is disposed a disc 259 provided with circumfcrentially spaced openings 260 of various sizes. The disc 259 preferably has a snug t on the circular body 258, but is adjustable rotativelv about the axis of the body to selectively position the openings 263 in register with the vertically spaced porcelain thread guides 26 I, 262.. The lower guide 26| is adjustably mountedin a slot 263 in the lower arm 255 of the frame 254, and the upper guide` 262 is adjustably mounted in a. corresponding slot 264 in the upper arm 265 of the frame. The thread T leads directly from the bobbin |11 and thence upwardly through the porcelain guides 26|, 262 and one of the openings 260 in the intermediate disc 258, the proper opening 260 being selected in accordance with the size of the thread. From the upper guide 262, the thread extends directly to the stop motion device |13 which is positioned relatively close thereto as illustrated in Figures 17 and 18,

Between the stop motion device and the guide 4 in the bed plate extension 3, the thread T en'- gages the tensioning device |18 as shown in Figure 2. The details of this tensioning device are best illustrated in Figure 25, wherein 266 de- .notes a casing preferably provided with a removable side wall. .Journalled in the opposite side walls of the casing 266 is a pin 261 having an upwardly extending arm 268 provided at one end theeroi,l and carrying at its upper extremity a cross -bar 269, to the opposite end of which is attached a porcelain' 210 having a recess-21| therein. generally similar to the porcelains 220.

' Fixed to the pin 261 withlnthecasing 266 is a 60 block 212 to which is attached one end'of a coil spring 213 the opposite end of the coil spring being attached to an angular guide member 214 n threadedly mounted on an adjusting screw 215.

' Tension of the spring 213 normally tends to urge the porcelain arm 210 in vclockwise direction as viewed in Figurey 25, the amount of movement of the arm being limited by a xed abutment 216 extending upwardly from the upper side of the casing 266 and disposed for engagement with the cross bar 269. The tensioning device |18 isattached to its support |19 in any suitable man-v ner, as by means of a screw 211 extending through an extension 218 on the base of the casing 266.

In the normal feeding of the thread T, the tennone at all if preferred, in which case the porcelain arm 210 will assume a position approximating that shown in Figure 25. Should the thread for any reason become unduly tensioned 'l at some point between the bobbin |11 and the furnishing wheels |88, |89, the porcelain arm 210 will rock in a counter-clockwise direction as lo viewed in Figure 25, as permitted by the yielding of the spring 213, automatically causing the thread to become displaced from the recess 21| in the porcelain arm 215. The resulting slack in the thread will thereupon allow the wire arms 1;, 233, 234 of the stop motion device |13 to move under the inluence of the counterweight 232 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 14, es-

tablishing contact between the movable contact f' member 236 and the iixed contact member 231 20 which in turn cause one of the selective control' circuits to be operated to interrupt the power drive. Under some conditions, 4tension on the thread T may not be sumcient to cause the (thread to become displaced from lengagement 5 with the porcelain arm 218 of the tensioning device |18,'and in that event, the tension will cause 'the porcelain arms 228, 221i of the stop motion device |13 to rock in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 14, establishing contact beu tween the movable contact member 223 and the xed contact member 225 which also operate the control circuit to interrupt the power drive. In yany case, however, the controls in one way or another will stop the machine before the thread T breaks under undue tension, and this is par` ticularly the-.purpose afforded by the tensioning device |18 from which the thread may become displaced automatically under certain conditions,v ailordlng considerable slack in the thread 40 so as to allow ample time to stop the machine before the slack is taken up. Should the thread become displaced from the tensioning device |18, it must be reengaged in the recess 21| of the porcelain arm 210 to reset the stop motion device |13 before the machine is restarted, as will be obvious.

Passing now to the fabric stop motion device I illustrated in Figures 20 to 22 inclusive, 219 designates a vertically adjustable support which may be mounted at any convenient point on the outside of the machine in close proximity to the fabric F near the upper ends of the needles 21 on the needle cylinder 20. As shown, the support 219 may be carried by the cloth ring 3|. Pivotally attached to the lower end of the support 219 is an arm 280 which is free to rock on the axis of pins 28| extending thercinto at a point intermediate its opposite ends. Pivotally attached to one end of the arm 286 is a dog 282 which is normally disposed in a generally upright position, with its lower extremity 283 tapered to approximately a point and disposed to ride on the outside of the fabric near the upper ends of the needles. The dog 282 is yieldably restrained against pivotal movement relative to the varm 280 ,by means of a detent 284 engaging in a notch 285 provided in the edge of the dog near its pivot 286. Additional notches may be provided in the dog if desired, to allow for ad-- .Justmentof the dog to different positions other than'the one shown in the drawings, which other positions require more or less force to rock the dog relative to the arm 280. A spring 281 disposed in the bore 288 extending through the arm 260, is interposed between the detent 284 and from engagement the end. of the arm 280 ,opposite to the dog 282.

`an adjustable screw 289. Adjustment of the screw 289- ih one direction or the other will increase or diminish the force necessary'to be appliedv to the dog 282 to displace the recess 285 with the detent 284. Fixed to is van electrical contact member 290 which extends upwardly therefrom and is disposed for engagement with one end 29| of an'insulated electrical terminal 292 which is connected in one of the control circuits for controlling the automatic interruption of the power drive.

So long as the fabriclbeing knitted is free of imperfections, the dog 2.82 will ride smoothly on the fabric, holding the arm 280 in the position shown in full lines. in Figure`20, with the contact 290 spaced. from the contact. 29. Should a hole,

drop stitch, needle run or other-imperfection occur in the fabric, the point 283 of the dog 284 will drop n-lto the same, and due to the rotary motion of the fabric, the dog will be forcibly rocked on its pivot 288 in a counterclockwise direction-as viewed in Figures and 22, displacing the notch 285 from engagement with the detent 284, and straightening out the dog in approximate alignment with the arm 280. When'this,

occurs, the arm 280 will rock under the inuence' of a spring 280 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure-20, to the dotted line position illustrated in this view, thereby causing thecontact 290 to move into engagement with the contact 29| in Vthe direction of thearrow in Figure 22. The engagement of these contacts 290, 29| serves to operate the electrical control circuit. In any case where the fabric stop motion has been automati,

registered with the parting line during rotation r' of the fabric past the dog. For this purpose, the arm 280 may have adjustably fixed thereto an pairs of terminals 298, 30.4 and 303,3I I, the mainv switch 299.' From terminal 304 of the switch 299 leads a conductor 305 which is connected to one side of the-motor |3 which drives the machine, and thisterminal 304 is also connected by a conductor 308 to one of' two lamps 391, 308 which are shown arranged in series with each other, as interconnected by the'ecnductor 309. From lamp 308 leads another conductor 3|0 which is connected to' terminal -3|| of the switch 299. While the lamps 301, 308-are illustrated in a series arrangement, this is not essential as they may be connected in parallel if preferred. As-

shown in Figure 2, the lampsare mounted within the circleI of the fabric F; being suitably supported from any convenient fixed part of-t11e machine,'such as the central hub 2|3 of the inside ring 2|2. The purpose ofthe lamps is to facilitate inspection of the fabric 'by the operator of the machine, as afforded by the penetration of the light rays through the fabric.

To the side of themotor' |3 opposite to that to which the conductor 308 is connected, the conductor |39 leading to one of the main power control contacts |31 is connected. The conductor |38 leading to the other main power control contact |31 is interconnected with the conductor 302 which leads to one side of the plug 298. Now when the blades 3|2, 3|2 of the switch 299 are actuated to close the switch and establish an, operative connection between the respecti power control switch represented by the contacts |31, |31 andv switch blade |30, is conditioned for control of the motor I3. Thus when the pull rod |09 of the main power control unit |00 is pulled out or forwardly as hereinbefore described, causing the switch blade |30 to bridge the con tacts |31, |31, the driving motor |3 will be energized and will remain energized by the holding engagement vof the trip latch |48 respecting the dog I4| carried by the pull rod |09, as previously auxiliary arm or bar-294 which extends 4ina gen- Ierally'gdownward direction therefrom,with itsv A lower extremity disposed for engagement with an abutment 295 attached to one of rthe needle caps 28 on the needle cylinder 20; Thus, as the fabric parting line 293 approaches the dog 282, the auxiliary arm 294 engages the abutment 29.5 and holds the arm 280 and dog 282 against movement about the pivot 28| ina clockwise direction, as

viewed in Figure 20, until the parting line has passedbeyond the dog, preventing the contacts 290, 29| from becoming engaged, and Vthus'pre- Vvent-ing operation of the fabric stop motion de-- vice as'would otherwise occur. l Referring now to Figure 24 which represents acircuit diagram of -the main power.control ciracuit 'and associated auxiliary control circuits, it

'will be seen that 298 diagrammatically designates a plug which is'adapted to beplugged into any convenient electrical outlet, preferably supplying A. C. power. From vthe plug 298 a conductor'l 291 leads to one terminal 298'01' a double-pole single-throw switch 299. From the terminal 298,

another conductor 300 leads'to one side of the primarywinding of a step-down transformer 30|.

The other side of the primary winding is ,con-

described.

It will be seen from the circuit diagram of Figure 24 that.Vv the primary winding of the stepdown Atransfermer 30| is always energized irrespective of .the position of the switch'299, which latter switch is more or less of the lcharacter of a safety switch. .Since .the transformer 30| is of a relatively low powered type, the continuous energizationl of the primary winding does not involve any appreciable loss of power. Associated` with the primary winding of the transformer is a secondary winding -for stepping down the voltage from the normal volts at the plug- 298 to a relatively'low'.voltage; preferablyY on the order of 18 volts. FromI one side of the secondary winding a conductor 3|3leads to the several selective auxiliary controldevices |12, v|13 and |14, said conductor 3|3being shown in the circuit diagram of Figure 24 interconnected with a conductor 3M extending to one side of the stop button |12, and interconnected with another conductor 3|5 leading to the insulated terminal 292 of the fabric stop. motion device |14. Connection.

of the conductor 3|3 with the thread stop motion device |13 is made at the. insulated terminal 240 on the latter. The opposite side of each of the .control devices |12, |13 and |14 is grounded to the frame of the machine.

Leading fromthe opposite side of 'the secondary .winding of the transformer 30| is a conductor 3|6' which is operatively 4connected to one side of the magnet winding |58 which forms a nected by'a conductor 302 to the opposite sideof the plug 298, and also to the terminal 303 :of the part of the main power control unit |08. 'I'he opposite side of the magnet winding |58 is connected by a conductor 3|.1 to .'a spring contact member 3|3 mounted upon'a horizontal supporting plate 3| 9 within the main power control unit Vhousing |10. The supporting plate 3|9 is at. tached to yand supported by lugs or bosses 320 disposed at the inner corners' of the housing ||0 and preferably formed integrally therewith, the plate being provided with a slot 32| through which the trip latch |46 projects in an upward direction forcooperation with the dog |4l. The contact member BIB is preferably insulated from the supporting plate 3|0 by means of an insulating member 322. Y l

Carried by the crcsshead l| on the pull rod |09 projecting forwardly therefrom is a contact pin 333 which is disposed for operative engagement with the spring contact 3|3 Awhen the pull rod |09 is moved forwardly to close the power circuit at the contacts |31, |31.. On engagement of the pin 323 with the contact member 3m, the -circuit in which the magnet winding |50 is included is grounded through the main control box which is connected to the frame of the knitting machine. This conditions the selective control circuits which include the auxiliarycontrols |12, |13 and |14 ior selective energization-of the magnet winding |50 by the auxiliary controls.

That is to say, assuming that the machine is in operation, with the pull rod |09 moved outwardly vto its operative position, the magnet |58 is not actually energized, but is conditioned to be energized by any one of the auxiliary controls |12, |13 and |14. Operation of the manual push button |12 causes one si'le of the secondary winding of the transformer to be grounded, thereby completing the circuit through the magnet |58 'which is also grounded at one side, `thereby establishing a current iow through the magnetwinding and actuating the armature |55 to re- I lease the trip latch |46 which in turn restores the pull rod |09 to its inoperative position, breaking the motor circuit at the contacts |31, |31 as hcreinbeforedescribed. A similar control of tne energization of the magnet |50 is performed by automatic operation of the'thread stop motion device |13 and'. the fabric stop motion device |14. In the case of the thread stop motion device, closing of the magnet circuit is accomplished either through the engagement of the movable contact member`223 with its associated iixed contact member 225 or through engagementv of the movable contact member 236 with its associated fixed contact member 231.

Whenever the magnet |58 is energized and the pull rod |00 is tripped to its inoperative position causing interruption of the power drive, the pin 323 carried by the crosshead' |25 on the pull rod |09 is automatically disengaged from the spring contact 3 l0, thereby positively opening the magnet circuit so as to render the auxiliary selective controls |12, |13 and |14 ineffective or inoperative. Thus inadvertent or'accidental energization of the magnet circuit is prevented and the .magnet circuit remains inoperative until the pull rod |09 of the main power contol unit |00 is rein an elevated position while drawing the -pull rod |09 of the main control unit |08 ina forward direction with the aid of the handle ||2 ,which may be conveniently grasped by the other hand of the operator. On completion of these opera.-F

ytions the brake lever 14'will be held in an elevated position -by engagement of the pin |04 with Ithe upper end of the arm |03 which forms a part of the brake tripping mechanism, maintaining the brakes associated with the needle cylinder 20 and which the take-up mechanism 30 in a released condition, while the power supply to the driving motor I3 is energized through closing of the switch on engagement of the switch blade `|3il with the contact members |31, |31. The machine will continue tooperate so long as the power supply is maintained and the pull rod |03 is held in its operative position by engagement of the trip latch |46 with the dog |4|. To stop the machine at will, the operator may do so by simply depressing the stop button |12 which causes the magnet |53 to be energized- On enrod |09 rearwardly, thereby breaking the power circuit at the contacts |31, |31, and interrupting the power drive. A short coil spring H3' on the pull rod |00 and interposed between the crosshead |25 and the rear wall of the casing ||0 cushions the return movement of the pull rod |09 and the parts carried thereby.

Instead of interrupting the power drive through manual operation of the stop button |72, let it be assumed that one. of the main threadsA T. or any other oi' the thread feeds breaks, then in that event, the magnet |58 will be energized lby automatic operation of the thread stop motion device |13. A similar magnet energization is accomplished by the thread stop motion device |13 in case of undue tension on the thread or some other imperfection occurs in any one of the thread feeds.

On the other hand, if an imperfection occurs in the fabric F as it is knitted. the magnet |58 will be energized by automatic operation of the 'fabric stop motion device |14. ,f

Whenever the magnet |58 is energized by a 'of the selective controls 12, |13 and |14, the trip latch |46 will be released, allowing the pull rod |09 to move to its inoperative or power interrupting position under the influence of the spring 3. 0n movementof the -pull rod |09 to `its inoperative position just referred to, the pin ||6 carried by the pull rod acts upon the lever arm ||1 to rock the shaft |00 connected to this arm in a direction which moves the other arm |03 from beneath the pin |04 on the brake lever 14. This displacement of the arm |03 from engagement with the pin |04 causes the brakes for both the needle cylinder and the take-up mechanism to be automatically applied under the iniiuence of the spring 91, thereby abruptly stopping the machine substantially simultaneously with the interruption of the power drive atthe motor I3. Restoration of the powe drive and resetting of the brakes in their released condition may then be accomplished by performing the same operations as previously described with respect to starting of the machine.

While the specific details have been herein shown and described, the invention is not confined thereto, as changes and alterations may be 4made without departing from the spirit thereof as dened by the appended claims. 

